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Molinari Delicatessen

4.4 (1.6k reviews)
Open • 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Updated 1 week ago

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MOLINARI DELICATESSEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Molinari Delicatessen

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Diane L.

Basically u come in and take a number and wait to be called and then you place your order. It took a total of 40 mins to wait and get the sandwich on a Saturday. I ordered the Luciano. The foccacia is good and so is the prosciutto, but when u bite into the sandwich, I feel like it's missing something. Tasted plain to me and I think a light spread would elevate it much more. Is it the best sandwich I've ever had? Nope. I think they need to hire more people to work here because they have a lot of customers and I don't think anyone should have to wait 40 minutes just to eat a sandwich. Doesn't matter if it's supposed to be a sought after sando it is, after all, a sandwich.

Nessa H.

First time @ Molinaris and it was good! I am glad I ordered for pick up and not standing in that line lol. Overall, a good sandwich but I was not amazed by it as I was expecting it to be. I ordered a customized turkey sandwich on dutch crunch.There are tons of variety of sandwiches they make. Staff was super friendly and as busy as they are, they have a smooth flow going! Cute little authentic Italian spot. I will be back maybe try another sandwich

Stephanie C.

Hugely popular Italian gourmet sandwich/deli shop in Little Italy. Expect lines during meal times and especially weekends as each sandwich is freshly crafted amongst a lot of to go orders. Many sandwiches to choose from paired with the bread of your choice. There is also pasta. There's a lot to see in the Italian themed shop itself and items to pick up from its shelves and refrigerators.

Renzo special
Michael D.

Molinari Delicatessen is a San Francisco institution since 1896. Be sure to grab a ticket and wait for your number before ordering. This was my second time here and I've had great friendly service both visits. They also sell a variety of Italian products, which is fun to browse while you wait. This time I ordered the Renzo Special with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, coppa, and tomatoes on focaccia I added basil spread and it was excellent. Definitely grab your sandwich to go and eat at one of the outdoor tables if you can snag one, or take it over to the park for a picnic.

Kevin P.

Honestly, OVERRATED. Parking in this area is chaos so take that into consideration. Love the interior, the variety is amazing and all authentic. There were no one to tell you to grab a ticket, so definitely be on the lookout if you want to get a sandwich at the deli. The staff's were fast but definitely overworked. There's no reason people should Be waiting an hour The bread is pre-purchased from another business nearby but they cut all the meat right in front of you.

Molinari Special Italian Combo on sourdough
Caitlyn M.

Molinari's is a San Francisco institution and has been around since 1896. They have great sandwiches and also has deli items, pasta, sauces, imported Italian goods. The old school Italian deli feels like a time capsule, the salamis are hung from the ceiling and the walls are lined with Italian goods. If you're there for a sandwich or salads, you need to take a number at the front of the door. They take orders by calling out numbers. They also take card but charge an extra fee so it's good to bring cash. Don't go on a weekend during lunch if you don't have time to wait. I waited about an hour on a Sunday at 12:30pm. It was worth the wait but I'll definitely try to come earlier to beat the lunch rush next time. They close online ordering during busy times. The guys behind the counter are nice but not the fastest so be patient! It takes time to make perfect sandwiches. I ordered the Molinari Special, the Italian combo with the works, with provolone on a sourdough roll. It was the best Italian cold cut sandwich I've had! The quality of the cold cuts stood out, there were probably 5 or more different cold cuts in the sandwich. Sandwiched with the lettuce, tomatoes, peperoncini, olive oil and vinegar, it was the perfect combo! I can see why they've been around for so long. The sourdough had a good crust so I wouldn't recommend it if you want something softer. There's a limited amount of tables out front, so you may have to eat somewhere else if they're full. I will be coming back to try their other sandwiches, buy some cold cuts and focaccia.

The entrance
Lorenzo M.

A true San Francisco staple, family owned Molinari Delicatessen has been serving up great Italian flavors since 1896. Molinari isn't just a deli--it's an experience. From the aroma of cured meats to the buzz of locals and visitors alike, everything about this place feels genuine. Grab a sandwich, head to the outdoor seating or take wherever, and enjoying seriously good food. Simple, classic, and done right. If you're in San Francisco, GET SOME!! This spot isn't optional--it's a must.

Afshin A.

Molinari Delicatessen is one of those places that truly earns the word "institution." Located in the heart of North Beach and around since 1896, it has that old-world Italian market feel that's getting harder to find these days. I've stopped here many times over the years to grab a sandwich to go, and they've always been excellent. The place is usually busy, the line moves fast, and the energy feels right. If I had to pick favorites, my top choices would be the Molinari Special "Italian Combo", the Luciano Special, and the Grilled Focaccia Special, in that order. The deli was founded by P.G. Molinari, an immigrant from Italy's Piedmont region, and after surviving the 1906 earthquake and several generations of family ownership, it's now run by the Mastrelli family, who have kept things true to their roots. While they sell imported Italian goods, cheeses, salamis, and pastas, let's be honest, it's the sandwiches that bring people in. If you're ordering the Italian Combo, do yourself a favor and ask for it on gutted, toasted hard sourdough, and unless you feel strongly about leaving something out, just say "with everything on it." Trust me, you won't regret it.

Luciano Special
Nihar P.

Known about this place for years and finally found the chance to try it out. Walked in on a Saturday morning around 11 am, and it was decently busy, but didn't have a huge line forming yet. It took me about 10 minutes from walking in to leaving with my order. The staff was helpful when ordering and extremely friendly, having fun conversations with many of the locals and tourists in the shop. I ordered the Molinari Special and the Luciano Special, and both were very enjoyable. The Molinari (9/10) was my favorite of the two. It was probably the best Italian combo sandwich I've had. The assortment of cold cuts was delicious, and the spreads made the sandwich flavorful and moist enough to enjoy with the hard Dutch crunch. I'd definitely come back just for this. The Luciano (7.5/10) was completely different and also tasty. The grilled focaccia was an amazing bread choice, adding a buttery, crunchy element. The inside was very simple with just coppa and mozzarella. It was good, but could have used something extra to elevate it. At home, I added balsamic on top, which made it almost a perfect sandwich. As ordered, it's still very tasty because of the bread, but not quite as impressive. With a large menu and an enjoyable environment, I will definitely return to Molinari's in the future. I can see why this place has been an SF staple for generations.

Cheese case at Molinari Delicatessen
Omar S.

I've visited Molinari Delicatessen a couple of times, but the mass of tourists crowded into the place made those unpleasant experiences, and I certainly wasn't going to join the scrum to buy a sandwich that I could make at home, so I've never had one of theirs. Over the years, I have purchased various Molinari salami to slice at home, but frankly, I prefer to buy such meats from Foustman's, a company with less history but better products.

Florence A.

Delicious sandwiches, deli items, and lots of Italian groceries - so much to take in, but you'll have time while you wait in line. There's always a line. But it goes quick enough, the servers are nice, and the food is great. There are a few tables out front, but we take ours to go.

Valerie C.

My bf was so excited to show me this sandwich spot and I think maybe we got the wrong sandwich to share because I wasn't a fan of the meat cuts When you walk into the store, be sure to grab a ticket number as they use that to call your number for order. We waited almost an hour to order and have our sandwich made as it was a busy lunch hour. I should've trusted my gut and ordered a cold cut sandwich but ended up doing the Luciano special as they use green onion focaccia bread on it for $20. The pickled onions in the sandwich threw me off and made the prosciutto and salami tasted off to me. I ended up giving the slices of meat to my bf and just ate the focaccia bread with the sun dried tomatoes inside. I think I definitely need to give this place another try as I didn't like my sandwich toppings.

Katyayini K.

Visited this deli after hearing many compliments about it. We visited on a Tuesday afternoon and it was so packed and busy - it took us an hour to get our sandwiches. The chicken cutlet sandwich was really good. The chicken was both soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. The Luciano sandwich was a bit more on the salty side for me. The deli also had a broad selection of meats, cheese, pasta, sauces, condiments and wine. Remember to grab a number when you walk in!

Grilled Focaccia Special

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Molinari Delicatessen Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Molinari Delicatessen

Is there parking near by?

There is street, metered parking in the area. It's hard to find a space to park. You may need to drive for 5-10 minutes to find a space.

Is there street parking outside the deli on Columbus? Or should we look to the SFMTA North Beach Garage for parking? We're planning for a Saturday daytime visit.

There is street parking but depends on luck and timing. It being a Saturday there maybe more people looking for spots.

Do they have gluten free bread?

Ciao, we do not have Gluten Free bread, but we can do lettuce wraps for sandwiches.

Is the outside dining area dog friendly?

There outside eating area is on Columbus St. in front of the store with people walking by with their dogs..

Do they have gift cards?

Yes they do

What are the must-have vegetarian items here?

Marinated olives - it's a deli, salami is a vegetable here

Do you guys have a location in Oakland?

The only existing location is in San Francisco, CA.

Do you guys have 00 flour?

Yes they do

Is Molinari open for pickup? And selling all its usual stuff? It looked closed when I walked down Columbus Ave today, but shows it's open 10-4

Not sure if it's open....i do know the food is amazing !!!

Does Molinari sell Torrone candy?

Usually though they are sometimes sold out.

Do they sell fresh pasta?

Yes they do!

Do they sell sliced deli meats by the weight?

Yes, they do.

Does this place have fresh ricotta cheese by the lb?

Yes

View All 15 Questions

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Butter and crumble has me coming back almost every month for their monthly menus with seasonal…read moreitems and unique takes on food items, including the rice roll and patatas bravas. Never could score a preorder box, and instead, line up at 7:45 (earliest you can line up) and wait until opening at 9. Usually spend total 1.5 hours here after receiving the pastries. No matter what flavor the croissant is, it is consistently flaky and buttery. The classic pistachio cardamom sugar croissant is one of my favorite sweet items. Its not too sweet and the flavors are prominent. The rice roll was my favorite monthly flavor for september. The bun was pillowy and soft with meat, scallions and cilantro scattered throughout. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. There is a max 10 pastries, 3 of each pastries limit for each party. They're also able to separate pastries into different boxes if requested when ordering.

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The Spice & Tea Exchange - Great selection of coffee, tea and spices.

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Me and my guy were walking by when Andrew drew us in with a delicious floral tea and then invited…read moreus in to look around. The store is very large, and there was so much to look at and smell. We were greeted by the owners, who were very helpful in showing us their store and products. We went to pier 39 just to walk around, and ended up having the best experience while there. We ended up getting a bourbon bacon salt, a honey spoon, and got a free tuna rub! The store was so clean and well organized. I love that the spices/herbs/salta/sugars all had jars that you could open and smell for reference. The candles are also noteworthy! They smelled fantastic and I might just have to make my way back for some! Overall, Andrew, Mauricio, Blair, and Ian made the experience excellent! If you're walking through the pier, definitely stop into the business and give them look and purchase!!

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Molinari Delicatessen - gourmet - Updated October 2026

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